University (ages 18-22)

Developed by the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) and the University of California (Santa Barbara, San Diego, and San Francisco campuses, as well as the University of California Office of the President), for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this comprehensive plastic source reduction toolkit provides a means to determine your campus plastic footprint and create a source reduction plan. Learn how to change campus procurement practices and establish source reduction policies. Review the one-pager, then download the full report. Check out their webinar entitled Reducing Plastic Marine Debris Through Source Reduction on College Campuses.

This laboratory methods manual outlines step-by-step instructions to quantify microplastics in marine environmental samples, including processes to streamline terminology and approaches. Depending on the study aims and environmental collection techniques, these methods can be used to calculate concentrations of microplastics using a variety of metrics. For guidelines and other considerations please see the methods manual appendices.

A student-led Zero Waste Movement group, the Post-Landfill Action Network ensures that students have the tools and information they need to make lasting change on their campuses. They work with industry innovators, campus leaders and other non-profit activists in building best-practice resources.

Download the Plastic-free Campus Manual to gain access to tools and information you need to make lasting changes on your campus. In partnership with the Plastic Pollution Coalition, the Plastic-Free Campus Manual contains 60+ pages of training, best-practices, case studies and project resources, including:

General organizing advice for smooth leadership turnover, working with administration and facilitation collaboration across campus

Tips for understanding the use of single-use disposable plastics, where to find them, why it’s important and who speak with about making a change.

Tangible alternatives to single-use disposable plastics, from the concept of reuse to compostable to compostable products.

Guidance on taking action that will be sustained long after you graduate!

USC’s launched an initiative to avoid 40,000 plastic bottles ending up in landfill on a yearly basis. Water provider ProAqua is a partner in the initiative, providing a minimal cost alternative to the free water, with several filtered and chilled water refill machines now on campus. Be inspired to make your campus a total water refill campus.

As an undergraduate, Doorae Shin worked diligently with other students at the University of Hawaii Manoa to ban polystyrene foam from their campus. Be inspired by their effective process to seeking environmental change.

The University of California has committed to sending zero waste to landfill by 2020 for all 10 campuses. In FY 2013-14, 63 percent of UC’s waste was diverted from the landfill. Pilot zero-waste programs now exist on most UC campuses, and some zero-waste initiatives have become standard practice. Initial efforts target the largest sources of waste, such as major events and building construction and demolition. Each campus has a plan. Your campus can too.